Joe was just over sixty and a great person who was loved by all. One day, Joe offered to grab a jug of water from the office basement to put in the water cooler. After about 10 minutes, his co-worker, pregnant and very thirsty, went looking for Joe.

She went to the top of the stairs and yelled out to him. “Joe? Is everything alright down there?” She went down a few steps and saw Joe lying on the floor. She tried to rouse him, but Joe didn’t respond. Finally, the ambulance came and took him to the hospital.

His daughter, Dawn, worked for a hospice provider as a receptionist. When her dad’s co-worker called to say he fell and was found unconscious, she thought it may have been his blood sugar because he had diabetes. Later that afternoon, the doctor called from the hospital and told her that Joe had suffered from a hemorrhagic stroke.

Later that day, Dawn called requesting hospice services. The hospice team went to the hospital and got Joe admitted for care.

Joe lived only one week. He regained consciousness briefly, and thankfully his wife was there to say goodbye. After Joe died, his wife Joan was meeting with the bereavement staff, and she was so thankful for the quick action of the hospice team.

Joan shared that the hospice staff told her the truth and coached her for the long week ahead. Hospice provided volunteers for Joan to leave for a few hours, shower and get some rest. Joan said she knew she only had a few precious moments when Joe regained consciousness. Joan was prepared and said all she could, and Joe died peacefully with family by his side.

Have you seen a “Joe” today? We can help.